Brisbane photographer arrested under special G20 powers

[brant.kelly]

Morale of the story: if you're asked by a police officer to give your details, you give your details with a friendly smile and get on with your life. I can't believe how idiotic some people can be in the name of freedom of any kind.

This attitude really chaps my ass. The draft for all men needs to be brought back. I spent the mid '70s in Europe serving in the Army under NATO. I saw this candy ass attitude of the standard issue American male when I got back stateside. Where in the hell do you think you get your freedoms? Did MLK think he needed to do what the man tells him to do to get his people's freedoms? Woman in the 60's, 70's and 80's just sat by and let the "Authorities" grant them full access to society?

Man up.

 

[Keith]

I sometimes wonder at the motivation behind locating these conferences in the middle of large cities, where security is surely more difficult (and expensive) to organise compared to, say, on a resort island on the Great Barrier Reef which could be exclusively booked. Being a cynic I suspect political ego plays a role in the decision. These events are a massive inconvenience to the people who live and work in the city every day. I much prefer real theatre to security theatre. At least with the Olympics, everyone got to party!

You bring up a really interesting point here Lynn and it makes me think that these types of events are as much about a show of power as they are about anything.

"You lot just behave yourselves and keep out of our way while we make decisions about your future!" 🙄

 

[Ranchu]

It's probably much easier to buy sexual favors in larger cities. Watching your minions maim the populace only goes so far.

 

[peterm1]

In this day of terrorism its a brave or idiotically foolish photographer who stands on his "rights" and refuses to give his identity to police when a G20 circus is in town. While its easy to argue this kind of restriction is an infringement of liberty, its a hollow argument when it potentially results in crazies invading or disrupting the talks or worse, perhaps, lives being lost.

Besides what professional photographer from a news agency would tell the police they have no right to demand that they identify themselves. If its good enough for the professionals its good enough for enthusiastic amateurs who want to make a name for themselves. Just because some tosser whack job has a camera does not put him in the right.

Neither do I believe we should hold the talks in secret locations, or not at all. Does this not give the nutters an easy victory? I am sorry but with all its faults, I am on the side of the establishment.

A few years ago when there was an APEC meeting in Sydney a bunch of "comedians" (i.e. juvenile idiots funded by public money courtesy of a public broadcaster) from an ABC comedy news program, put a flag on their car, dressed up as Osama Bin Laden look a likes and drove through roadblocks pretending to be leaders and dignitaries from some mythical middle eastern state. With cameras rolling. Right up to the hotel where George Bush was staying. The gag was they wanted to see how far they got before being stopped. Despite the obvious danger of being shot.

Only problem was just that day or the day before, the police had been warned by the heavies within G20 that they were being too careful and not to stop official cars. So following orders, they just waved them through the roadblocks. The car got pretty well all the way to the hotel until the occupants realized they were in genuine danger of being killed and fessed up to the gag.

This created huge embarrassment and recriminations all round. I imagine officials will not take that chance again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chaser_APEC_pranks

 

[colyn]

On tonight's news, a 57 year old photographer has been arrested in Brisbane while photographing on the steps of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. He was arrested under special powers granted to police under the G20 (Safety and Security) Act 2013 for the G20 conference, which starts next week. The arrest was made after he refused to give his details to police officers when directed, according to the media report.

Presumably if he had been taking the same photos yesterday there would not have been a problem, as the special police powers have only just come into effect. This is reported to be the first arrest under the new powers.

He couldn't have been arrested for taking photos since camera gear is not listed so it sounds like he did not want to give police the info they requested so he was arrested. They had to assume he was hiding something.

Why are people so stuborn about giving info to law enforcement if they are not violating any laws??

 

[Ranchu]

Why are people so stuborn about giving info to law enforcement if they are not violating any laws??

It's called the fourth amendment. It's in the bill of rights.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

"The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights that prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause. It was adopted in response to the abuse of the writ of assistance, a type of general search warrant issued by the British government and a major source of tension in pre-Revolutionary America."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

In general, customs writs of assistance served as general search warrants that did not expire, allowing customs officials to search anywhere for smuggled goods without having to obtain a specific warrant. These writs became controversial when they were issued by courts in British America in the 1760s, especially the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Controversy over these general writs of assistance inspired the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which forbids general search warrants in the United States.

General writs of assistance played an important role in the increasing tensions that led to the American Revolution and the creation of the United States of America. In 1760, Great Britain began to enforce some of the provisions of the Navigation Acts by granting customs officers these writs. In New England, smuggling had become common. However, officers could not search a person's property without giving a reason. Colonists protested that the writs violated their rights as British subjects. The colonists had several problems with these writs. They were permanent and even transferable: the holder of a writ could assign it to another. Any place could be searched at the whim of the holder, and searchers were not responsible for any damage they caused. This put anyone who had such a writ above the law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_assistance

 

[Scrambler]

It's called the fourth amendment. It's in the bill of rights. "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." "The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights that prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause. It was adopted in response to the abuse of the writ of assistance, a type of general search warrant issued by the British government and a major source of tension in pre-Revolutionary America." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution In general, customs writs of assistance served as general search warrants that did not expire, allowing customs officials to search anywhere for smuggled goods without having to obtain a specific warrant. These writs became controversial when they were issued by courts in British America in the 1760s, especially the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Controversy over these general writs of assistance inspired the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which forbids general search warrants in the United States. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_assistance

It may surprise people, even some Aussies, but the 4th Amendment doesn't apply to Australia. However he certainly would have been arrested for some other 'crime.' My personal favourite is the crime of "resisting arrest.".

 

[fireblade]

I sometimes wonder at the motivation behind locating these conferences in the middle of large cities, where security is surely more difficult (and expensive) to organise compared to, say, on a resort island on the Great Barrier Reef which could be exclusively booked. Being a cynic I suspect political ego plays a role in the decision. These events are a massive inconvenience to the people who live and work in the city every day. I much prefer real theatre to security theatre. At least with the Olympics, everyone got to party!

too expensive and slow to fly prostitutes out there.

 

[Scrambler]

too expensive and slow to fly prostitutes out there.

???? Compared to International leaders? It's a legalised and regulated industry in Qld. I'm sure a sufficient quantity could be found, even formally contracted in advance. I suppose though that the tender would need to be privately advertised: doesn't look so good in the papers.

 

[nongfuspring]

I saw this candy ass attitude of the standard issue American male when I got back stateside. Where in the hell do you think you get your freedoms? Did MLK think he needed to do what the man tells him to do to get his people's freedoms? Woman in the 60's, 70's and 80's just sat by and let the "Authorities" grant them full access to society?

Man up.

Amen.

As mentioned earlier Aussie is a sovereign nation, the G20 requesting an override of pre-agreed laws is a subversion of democratic process however you see it. And it's not unique, increasingly Australia and other Asia-Pacific nations are having their legislation manipulated by foreign nations (i.e. the U.S.) in regards to things including but not limited to domestic surveillance, the extension of corporate rights, environmental protection, copyright legislation, broadening powers of extradition, etc., all without any public consultation and rarely even with any public notification.

This "candy ass attitude" as Brant puts it allows this kind of thing to perpetuate.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

This attitude really chaps my ass. The draft for all men needs to be brought back. I spent the mid '70s in Europe serving in the Army under NATO. I saw this candy ass attitude of the standard issue American male when I got back stateside. Where in the hell do you think you get your freedoms? Did MLK think he needed to do what the man tells him to do to get his people's freedoms? Woman in the 60's, 70's and 80's just sat by and let the "Authorities" grant them full access to society?

Man up.

Haven't you heard of defusing a potentially conflictual situation before it actually starts? I teach this to my aikido students everyday. There is no need to be a hero, let someone else be. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly smile to defuse the situation. These are cops for god's sake not terrorists or criminals. 😉

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Don`t forget the friendly smile ..... 🙄

One should know what they want. If you want to fight the police and get arrested, then refuse to show your papers. If you want to take photos, show your papers to the police, it only takes a couple of minutes, then you can keep on taking photos afterwards. It's easy.

I never understand this anti cop sentiment. Unless you guys were raised by drug dealers, thiefs or terrorists, why should you hate cops? I have nothing against cops, or military. I actually appreciate what they do and am very grateful. They are brothers and sisters not some aliens from outer space.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Haven't you heard of defusing a potentially conflictual situation before it actually starts? I teach this to my aikido students everyday. There is no need to be a hero, let someone else be. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly smile to defuse the situation. These are cops for god's sake not terrorists or criminals. 😉

There's no need to be a snivelling coward, either, who always does whatever they are told, unquestioningly, by every little jumped up jack in office.You can let other people do that, too. And even if you aren't brave enough to stand up for your rights (or for that matter, for common sense), at least be grateful to those who are brave enough. There's a time and a place for everything: sometimes for a smile, and sometimes for digging your heels in.

Cheers,

R.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

There's no need to be a snivelling coward, either, who always does whatever they are told, unquestioningly, by every little jumped up jack in office.You can let other people do that, too. And even if you aren't brave enough to stand up for your rights (or for that matter, for common sense), at least be grateful to those who are brave enough. There's a time and a place for everything: sometimes for a smile, and sometimes for digging your heels in.

Cheers,

R.

This is hilarious. Common sense is not cowardice. Refusing to show your papers to an officer is plain stupid. Being brave is to fight to protect your family and others, not pick a needless fight just to stick it to the man 😉

 

[Keith]

Not a lot to do with the G20 Summit but if you were wondering about the current state of play in this fair state of Queensland, check this out! LINK

 

[Michael Markey]

One should know what they want. If you want to fight the police and get arrested, then refuse to show your papers. If you want to take photos, show your papers to the police, it only takes a couple of minutes, then you can keep on taking photos afterwards. It's easy.

I never understand this anti cop sentiment. Unless you guys were raised by drug dealers, thiefs or terrorists, why should you hate cops? I have nothing against cops, or military. I actually appreciate what they do and am very grateful. They are brothers and sisters not some aliens from outer space.

I don`t want to fight anybody and I`ve certainly nothing against the police.

Neither am I inclined to give up my rights .
Fought for by others that we should be remembering on this day of all days.

"Refuse to show my papers" good grief man.
We don`t need to carry our "papers" around with us in the UK .

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Where I live cops are all armed and nervous. They will appear nice one moment, and the next shoot everything around them, more or less by accident. Being unnecessarily near them is reckless. There are other people to ask directions from, there are other better choices to chat about the city with.

Yes I am glad someone takes the job. But, the job changes them, distorts them.

That may be true, but it's one more reason not to mess with them needlessly. I am only willing to fight to protect myself or my family from harm. I don't have a problem showing my papers if that resolves the issue.

 

[peterm1]

This is hilarious. Common sense is not cowardice. Refusing to show your papers to an officer is plain stupid. Being brave is to fight to protect your family and others, not pick a needless fight just to stick it to the man 😉

Agree 100%. Anyone who deliberately picks a fight when it is not necessary to do so is a dick. Anyone who deliberately picks a fight with someone who has the power to lock them up for being a dick is an idiot and a dick.

You fight when you have to, not because you want to show everyone you have the biggest swinging whatsit in the room.

And when G20 is in town the city will already be full of brainless idiots making police nervous and edgy because these brainless twits always provoke a confrontation with "authority" just because they can. Its their only claim to fame in their empty lives. Many of these idiots bludge off the system on nice government dole money - all the while traveling from protest to protest around the country and around the world while loudly telling everyone who will listen that western civilization is broke and they mean to bring it down. Forgetting that if they do bring it down they will be among the first to suffer. Which is why they are total dicks.

 

[tunalegs]

What must they be hiding there that they're so afraid of photographers taking pictures?

 

[Sparrow]

I don`t want to fight anybody and I`ve certainly nothing against the police.

Neither am I inclined to give up my rights .
Fought for by others that we should be remembering on this day of all days.

"Refuse to show my papers" good grief man.
We don`t need to carry our "papers" around with us in the UK .

... this is true